Japan Work Visa Requirements

A work visa application succeeds when it proves four things. Immigration is not judging you personally — it is checking that the job, your background, and the company all line up.

1. A matching qualification

You need either a bachelor's degree in a field related to the role, or 10+ years of relevant professional experience (3 years for some international-services work such as translation or design).

2. A genuine job offer

The role must be full-time and professional, with a salary comparable to a Japanese national doing the same work. A signed contract or detailed offer letter is required.

3. Duties that fit the status

The day-to-day work must use specialised knowledge — engineering, humanities, or international business. Routine manual tasks do not qualify under this status.

The single most common rejection reason is a mismatch between your degree and the job duties. Spell out the connection clearly in your application.

4. A stable employer

Immigration looks at the company's size, financials, and history. Established employers sail through; brand-new or tiny companies may need to submit extra documents proving they can actually pay you.

Common questions

Do I need a university degree?+

A bachelor's degree (or higher) in a field related to the job is the usual route. Without a degree, you can still qualify with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience — or 3 years for some international-services roles.

Does my degree have to match the job exactly?+

It needs a reasonable connection. An economics graduate can take a marketing role; a literature graduate applying for a software engineering job will likely be questioned. The closer the match, the smoother the review.

Can I apply without a job offer?+

No. The work visa is employer-sponsored. You need a signed offer before the Certificate of Eligibility can be filed.